Regional food specialties
- Eating and Drinking in MKE
I've been stalling on this post going on a couple years now. But that's ok as it's only grown over time. As regular readers know I get up to Milwaukee pretty regularly and have always called it my favorite Chicago suburb due to it's proximity to the city. However that is in no way a knock on the city of Milwaukee and it's thriving food scene. I've always loved exploring this city and have long been a proponent of it being a great place to spend a day. They have a world class art museum as well as the the NBA's next best thing on top of a wonderful mix of both old and new as far as food/drink goes.
Downtown Milwaukee
Speaking of things Milwaukee has, Summerfest starts today (6/28/17). The Worlds largest outdoor music fest is the granddaddy of all of Milwaukee's summertime festivals. Heck they even have a first place baseball team in Milwaukee, for now anyway. I've featured many of my longtime favorites as far as food stops from the Brew City and many of them are the type of spots I would list as legendary spots worth the ride for them alone. Today I add a ton more to the mix. One thing about MKE I can promise is there's tons to eat, and even more to drink. What's not to love? Well aside from Sheriff Clarke and the awful segregation going on. Milwaukee is on the come up. It's become cool to visit.
Chris Farley Mural in Bay View
As I had mentioned Milwaukee has a wonderful mix of classic old school spots and newly opened chef driven establishments. I've never been to a city where the bars are always so full. It's not like there's only a few as you'll pretty much find one on every corner of every neighborhood both commercial and residential. Many parts of Milwaukee feel like Chicago used to. Unfortunately the corner bars down here are bordering on extinct whereas in Milwaukee they thrive, or at least get by.
Corner Bar in Milwaukee
So without further ado here is my most recent Chowing Travel Guide on the great city of Milwaukee.
________________________________________________________________________
The Laughing Taco
Here we have one of the city's hottest new openings. It's owned by a husband and wife team and the husband part of it is James Beard nominated Chef Justin Carlisle of Ardent. His flagship restaurant has drawn many of Chicago's biggest gourmands up it's way and pretty much everyone has great things to say. Including me but no pics as it was dark and I dont like using flash. But what more can I say on that? I'm not your source for fine dining but I can tell you where to get some bomb ass tacos.
a peek inside (trompo in motion)
Laughing Taco is the idea of Chef Carlisle's wife. It came to her pretty naturally as she's a native of Monterrey, Mexico and wanted to bring a taqueria like those back at her old home to her current home in Milwaukee. Well I've never been to Monterrey but you know I've gotten around as far as tacos go, both in the States and Mexico, and I got to say these were legit enough to pretty much be a hit anywhere. I would love to have it as an option in Chicago's amazing array of taco shops but I'm just happy it's close enough in Milwaukee to get my fix now and then. They're really doing it right. One telling sign of a well run taco shop is the serving of regional tacos such as the taco de trompo. Not to be confused with it's cousin al pastor the trompo taco is made the same way with pork but uses only smoked paprika as it's seasoning. This is one of Monterrey's signature taco styles. Delicious.
Taco Campechano (Steak, Trompo Meat, Fried Cheese, Avocado, on Flour)
The State of Monterrey is in Northeast Mexico and they like they're meats in that part of the country. According to Lucia Muñoz (co-owner/wife) the taco shops of her youth get straight to the point. Much like the rest of Mexico's taquerias more times than not places specialize in one thing and maybe offer a few others and that's it. That's pretty much the idea of Laughing Taco. When you source the meat from a nearby farm (run by the chef's brother) and throw in high quality frozen margaritas you got a chef driven taco shop but it's one that doesn't try to be anything more. The tacos are top notch with the fillings the star. No need for fancy toppings that make them look good on the gram. These are classics with quality ingredients. All of them good enough to eat multiple amounts of. The potato crisped in tomato sauce might've been the most craveworthy while the steak was great.
Potato (L) Steak (M) Trompo (R)
________________________________________________________________________
Iron Grate BBQ
Another one of the city's more anticipated restaurant openings came when Iron Grate BBQ came into play. These days Texas style BBQ is all the rage and the folks behind Iron Grate do a damn good job of creating this formerly uber regional style that's now pretty much found all over. More times than not it's nothing to get excited about but one look at Edna, the restaurants smoker, and you know they're for real. When Iron Grate first opened they did within a coffee shop but recent news has them moving.
Edna the on-site smoker
I got a chance to try Iron Grate not too long after it's opening and they were doing well on my visit. All the meats were above average with the brisket being the best as should be the case for a great Texas BBQ platter. One thing that Iron Grate has that you wont find in Texas is the Milwaukee rib. This is a custom cut made just for the pitmaster and it comes from a special cut of spare rib with the belly still attached to it. As far as it's taste think part pork belly and part rib and you got the idea.
Brisket, Milwaukee Ribs, and Sausage at Iron Grate BBQ
It's been a little while since my visit but when we stopped in they were selling bags of cinnamon dusted pork rinds at the counter and these were wonderful. I couldn't contain myself after trying one in the car. They were too good to make it home. Definitely get some of these if they have any.
Cinnamon Dusted Pork Rinds at Iron Grate BBQ
________________________________________________________________________
Bavette Le Boucherie
I knew Milwaukee was for real when I found about this place and thought it was another hot chef driven place new to the scene. Turns out it's been around for a while. Somehow I never heard of it until recently as in the last six months but if you like to shop for meat after you eat Bavette Butcher has some wonderful stuff in their display case. They also had some fantastic cornbread on the dining menu when we stopped in. As good as anything I can remember eating south of the Mason Dixon.
Pan Fried Corn Bread at Bavette Le Boucherie
The menu here is ever changing but features sections with options of cheese and charcuterie, snacks, soup, salads, sandwiches etc. Usually when dining in Milwaukee we have a few spots in mind so we try and sample a few things before moving on to the next stop. Here we had some sweet and spicy fried wings that were really well executed but the wings themselves were to big for me. I prefer them smaller so there's not a ton of chewing and gnawing. Though still tasty.
Chili Fish Sauce Caramel Capon Wings at Bavette Le Boucherie
I looked at something that looked like a minor take on the Philly style roast pork sandwich and wanted to try it but it wasn't quite that. While it did have roast pork it wasn't sliced thin and instead of a semi Italian profile the feta and harissa gave this sandwich a Mediterranean vibe. Not bad at all. But the best thing about this place was the meat itself. I bought some ground beef that was some of the best I ever cooked with. So good I was eating it lightly seasoned (Paris seasoning from Spice House) as is fried in the pan like a little mini meatball. The kimchi sausage and classic brats were also nice.
Roast Pork with Feta, Harissa Aioli, Carrot Slaw, Roasted Broccoli, Olive-Almond Relish at Bavette Le Boucherie
________________________________________________________________________
Red Light Ramen
Here's a spot that can vouch for the popularity of previously mentioned Chef Justin Carlisle. Red Light Ramen is his ramen joint that originally started off as a late nite Saturday thing at Ardent next door. It became so popular that it eventually became it's own restaurant. It's still no reservations and it's still small and as popular as ever so go early if you want to snag a seat. Or go late towards the end of the night. The menu is small with only a few things as far as entrees. Obviously ramen is what they're known for and their Tonkotsu is pretty damn good. Tender slices of locally raised pork sit in a pork broth with a potency of medium. You cant get much better in Milwaukee on a cold winter night.
Pork, Scallion, Mushroom, Bamboo Shoots, Nori, Fish Cake, Egg, Greens at Red Light Ramen
The ramen might be what most people are there for but don't sleep on the donburi bowl. They make a mean Japanese style beef curry served with white rice and a side of condiments that includes fermented corn, pickles, koshu. I might be wrong but it seemed like the beef in this was the same stuff used at Laughing Taco with the steak tacos and it worked great. I didn't taste much sweetness in this dish like most other Japanese curry's but rather I tasted heat and some notes of Indian cuisine. Who knows what exactly goes into making this dish but everything was perfect down to to the potatoes and carrots being cooked just right. This is a dish I can see myself returning for soon.
Japanese Beef Curry Donburi (Rice Bowl) at Red Light Ramen
________________________________________________________________________
Movida
My visit to this place was probably the longest as far as time from visit to this post goes. It's been over a year but the folks behind Movida are doing well enough to have opened another spot that doubles as a hotel. While I haven't been to Hotel Madrid yet I did like my one and only visit to Movida. We went during Happy Hour and according to their menu this is still a thing. But not the same.
Fried Olives at Movida
On our visit they had all sorts of little bites to eat on special and all of them were pretty good. It looks like they ditched the little sandwiches they used to serve but these were a tasty bar snack paired with some nice wine from their cellar. Same goes for the fried olives pictured up above.
Happy Hour Snacks at Movida
I dont have the best luck when it comes to restaurant paella but Movida did a really nice version. It was small but that meant the chance for socarrat was much better. Socarrat being the crispy pieces of rice that stick to the bottom of the pan. Since the pan was small the socarrat built up quickly.
Seafood Paella at Movida
________________________________________________________________________
Meat on the Street
Here we have another success story of food truck turned into permanent location. In this case that location is at a rather generic food court inside an old Pabst property turned student housing center near Marquette. There's five new food stalls and Meat on the Street is easily the least inclusive. They have Filipino street food and we tried both skewers and egg rolls and both were really well made. Filipino food is really starting to take off and when you eat at a place like this you understand why.
Filipino Street Food at Meat on the Street
________________________________________________________________________
Bel Air Cantina
I've visited many of the modern upscale taquerias that have taken the country by storm and can say that we have it pretty damn good in Chicago. I say so because at least half of the time if not more than, the place ends up disappointing. Whereas in Chicago even the not so popular yuppified taco spots tend to be better than many of the rest I've tried elsewhere in the States. No difference here. While the building which it sits in on the river is really cool and a great place to drink on a nice day, the tacos here are expensive (more than $3) and average at best. Can't win them all.
Fried Avocado Taco at BelAir Cantina
________________________________________________________________________
The Cheel
I'm still sad about a Milwaukee food truck that's no more. They made the best momo dumplings I've ever had. Well I was happy to see a new Himalayan place when it opened up in the suburb of Thiensville. I admit it seemed a bit out of touch but the young owners behind The Cheel have already grown a large fanbase. The restaurant itself sits in an old 1890's building but the food here is definitely not old school. It's described as serving cuisine from the Himalayas to the Rockies.
Momo Dumplings at The Cheel
All of the meat is locally sourced and you could taste the freshness of the goat in the dumplings. They were definitely tasty but they didn't make me forget about the ones no longer available mentioned up above. We also had some sort of pork stew that was really good but I cant seem to find it's description on the menu. This was hearty food and it was cool seeing locals embrace the place.
Pork Stew at The Cheel
________________________________________________________________________
La Masa Empanada Bar
They might not be quite as popular as poke but empanadas have been having a moment at the popular table lately. Nothing wrong with that as sometimes you just want a snack and once in a blue moon you want something other than a taco. Enter the empanada. Here they have all the Argentinian classics as well as some fresh local takes. So how does chopped brat taste inside an empanada? Just ok actually. The sauerkraut was throwing the flavors off when mixed with the side of chimichurri.
Brat Empanada
________________________________________________________________________
The Vanguard
What more can I say about The Vanguard? If you read my review than you know I'm a fan. The menu is mostly dominated by encased meats but they also have a burger. It's a somewhat recent addition that, like many other masterpieces, was created by getting use out of everything in the kitchen. When the sausage is stuffed some of them burst and the ground meat from them goes into the making of Thee Dirty Burger. The beauty of it is the patty consists of a little bit of everything. It's dressed similar to an In 'n Out Burger. There's also real chopped bacon bits scattered in and the use of their housemade Velveeta style cheese. It's quite a treat and something worth ordering on a menu with many interesting options to choose from. Go on. Git!
Thee Dirty Burger - bacon / lettuce / onion / tomato / pickle / OK Sauce / House Velveeta
________________________________________________________________________
The Vagabond
This place opened up around the time hipster driven tacos were peaking. It's got all the things going for it as far as a hipster taco joint goes. Lot's of colors inside, plenty of drinks on offer, and even a classic airstream trailer from where drinks are served. Reviews are sort of mixed but I will say that the fish taco I had from here was actually pretty legit with a crispy piece of well fried fish being just about perfect, and I liked the addition of pickled bell pepper. The drinks were just ok.
Dos Equis Battered Mahi Mahi, Red Jalapeno Slaw, Pickled Red Pepper
________________________________________________________________________
Boone and Crockett
Milwaukee has always been a big beer town but these days its becoming a big cocktail town too. I'm talking much more than brandy old fashioneds. There's some really good bars that have opened in the past five years and this one feels like it belongs somewhere in Austin.
a peek inside
Boone and Crockett is a popular place these days. Then again pretty much any place with a patio is popular during Milwaukee's summer months. Aside from some well made drinks this place boasts a permanent food truck in the back. Hence why it reminds me a bit of Austin. Gypsy Taco burst onto the scene with their non-authentic tacos and their unapologetic about that.
Gypsy Taco
The menu switches up with whats good at the market. On my visit they had a handful of options including a Dr. Pepper braised pork, a fish taco with fried smelt, and another taco made from fresh fried local mushrooms. All of them were unique but the fish taco with lake smelts was the best executed of the bunch. My only complaint is the fact they dress all of the tacos the same way which kind of makes the flavors similar in all of them. Fun spot to hang on a hot summer day.
Fried Lake Smelt Taco at Gypsy Taco
________________________________________________________________________
Dock18 Cocktail Lab
The best cocktail bar in Milwaukee right now is more like a club house. The folks behind local business Bittercube Bitters have not only helped Milwaukee's cocktail scene thrive but they've also contributed directly to it with Dock18. This is their bar and it's not easy to find the first time around. The address takes you to a loading dock and unless you easily put two and two together you might find yourself looking around wondering if you're in the right place. Go the door right of Dock 17.
a peek inside
Because Dock18 is part of a distillery they're only allowed to use liquor thats made on site. You'd think that might hinder the bartenders abilities. Nope. A recent drinking session here resulted in some of the best cocktails I've sipped in Milwaukee. This months theme was taking popular pieces of art from the Milwaukee Art Museum and turn them into cocktails. This tiki like concoction below was almost an exact replica of the famous photo also seen in the picture below. A must stop in my book.
Cocktail at Dock18
________________________________________________________________________
The Phoenix Cocktail Club
This place is new but because of it's location in a federal historic building it feels old. That and the cocktails take you back to another era. The creativity behind some of today's cocktail bars is pretty remarkable. You have to do something to stand out. The Phoenix has an ongoing cocktail comic series featuring a drink that comes served with a comic book about said drink. As the drink gets reincarnated each time the comic comes out with a new issue too. None of this would matter of the cocktails weren't any good but the ones we sipped on our visit were good enough to warrant a return.
Cocktails at The Phoenix Club
They also serve up small plates here. Never one to pass on an order of housemade dumplings I decided to try the kimchi and pork version they were pushing. These were good drinking food.
Kimchi Dumplings at The Phoenix Cocktail Club
________________________________________________________________________
Koz's Mini Bowl
Mini Bowling? Yep at one of my favorite dives in Milwaukee. Koz's, like so many other taverns in town, sits on a residential corner and more times than not you'll find the El Charitto taco truck sitting outside. Inside is an old school Wisconsin style tavern with a surprise in the back.
The Bar
This turn back the clock drinking spot has it's own four lane miniature bowling alley. Same as it ever was, pin setters included. The first time I came here after a day of drinking at the Brewers/Cubs game I fell in love with it and try and stop in each trip up the lake that I take. The problem is Milwaukee has a couple handful of amazing old school drinking establishments, cant get to them all each trip.
Mini Bowling Alley
I take friends here and as always everyone who goes has a grand ole time. The mini bowling is pretty fun once you get the hang of it. The cost is a couple bucks per ten frames and make sure to tip your pinsetter as there's faster ways of making money and they're choosing not to go that route.
Chicago Softball Sized Bowling Balls
________________________________________________________________________
Foundation Tiki Bar
Pretty much any trip I make to Milwaukee includes a stop at this real deal tiki bar. Also located on a residential street this place has legions of fans in Milwaukee. It might not be on the level of a place like Lost Lake when it comes to the drinks but the actual atmosphere is that of a real deal tiki bar. I can't get enough of it. These days I get the same drink every time. The Mai Tai from here is a textbook recipe that pins you down pretty quickly. As close to Hawaii as you can get in Wisconsin.
Mai Tai at Foundation Tiki Bar
________________________________________________________________________
Taqueria El Charrito Taco Truck
Milwaukee has a thriving taco truck scene. You can expect a report on them sometime soon. Some of them even specialize in things other than tacos such as tortas and hamburguesas. This truck here is a favorite of mine, but not for the tacos. Though before I get to it I should note that the tacos here are actually pretty damn good and well worth the $2 asking price. The steak is just tiny chopped bits but they're well crisped and it's the little things that can take a taco from average to above average. Such as the inclusion of some avocado and also a properly griddled tortilla. Good salsa too.
Carne Asada con Aguacate
But my go-to order from here is the charro beans. Loaded with steak, bacon, al pastor, cheap chopped wieners, onions and other little odds and ends they've been better at night, probably because they sat around all day but at a buck and change a cup these really hits the spot after a few games of mini bowling at Koz's across the street.
Charro Beans at Taqueria El Charrito Taco Truck
________________________________________________________________________
Crave Cafe
Located up North in Shorewood Crave Cafe opened sometime late last year and did so to some friendly pub. I saw an article about the burgers and made note for the next time I was in town. I made it in recently and while all eleven burgers on offer (each 1/3 lb) were tempting it was the Korean BBQ Burger ($7) that was calling my name. Served with a Korean-style barbecue glaze, seasoned mayonnaise, American cheese, slaw and spicy kimchi this is the owners ode to his time in LA. I love the combo of salty American cheese and fiery kimchi so of course I loved this burger. It was great.
Kimchi Burger from Crave Cafe
________________________________________________________________________
Tacos Los Gemelos
Not only does Milwaukee have a thriving Mexican scene but many of it's people are from Oaxaca. This is something I started to further explore recently after learning so. Los Gemelos is one of these Oaxacan owned spots and it was once a truck but now has it's own place. They do have tlayudas on the menu but I'm not sure they're the ones you'd see in Oaxaca. I'll find out another time as they're also known for their tacos al pastor that come served from a spit on the weekends. Unfortunately said spit is behind closed doors but there was no denying the tacos I got came from meat cut thin from a trompo. They could have been a bit more crisped but I wasn't complaining. I happily ate them.
Tacos al Pastor at Tacos Los Gemelos
________________________________________________________________________
Blue Star Cafe
I know little of the food of East Africa but this small unassuming spot hidden aside a large newly built apartment building always caught my eye. The menu is fairly simple with options like platters with a base starch and your choice of meat and also sandwiches, Kay-Kay, and Crepes. The Kay Kay was described as a flatbread topped with your choice of meat and both it and a big plate of rice with goat meat were tempting but I wasn't all that hungry on my visit so I settled on the steak sandwich I read rave reviews on. Good choice, college kids know a good sandwich when they find one and this visit there was nothing but them and a few cab drivers inside. I don't know if Steak Sandwiches are a big thing in Somalia, doubt it, but I do know Somali people and by extension their food are +common in Minneapolis and there's many connections between Minnesota and Wisconsin so it's not surprising to find a Somali restaurant in these parts. The steak was thinly sliced strips cooked in a marinade that the hot green sauce worked in perfect harmony with. The sambusas worked in the same way.
Somali Steak Sandwich at Blue Star Cafe
________________________________________________________________________
Chef Paz
Out in the suburb of West Allis is a big selection of good looking food stops. I haven't had a chance to fully explore the area but we did stop in at one of the top rated places called Chef Paz. It's a Peruvian joint and the pics looked legit but there was just two of us so all we could make room for was a big platter of Jalea. This popular Peruvian dish is consists of fried pieces of fish and shrimp with mussel’s and calamari accompanied with golden yucca, tartar sauce, and topped with Creole Sauce (onion, tomatoes, lemon, cilantro, and olive oil). This came out piping hot and hit the spot.
Seafood Jalea at Chef Paz
________________________________________________________________________
The Rochester Deli
As you may have learned in previous reports Milwaukee is a big corned beef city. They have some of the best spots I've ever been as far as corned beef goes. Well it just so happens I have another in Rochester Deli located in the suburb of Waukesha. It's a classic example of an old school deli.
Chicken Noodle Soup
As much as I love Jake's Deli, the Reuben sandwich from Rochester Deli is among the best I've had anywhere, Jake's included. The housemade corned beef isn't sliced as thick as at the other spots but the grilled marble rye is what makes it stand out. That and the perfect ratio of everything along with the fantastic toasting/melting job. I really liked this place when I visited. Good homemade soups too.
Reuben Sandwich from Rochester Deli
________________________________________________________________________
Simmas Bakery
Wisconsin is home to some of the country's best bakeries and Simmas is considered one of Milwaukee's best. Started in 1982 by a Russian immigrant it's morphed into a major part of the community it's in. They got lots to choose from in there but what you see below is what you want. Problem is I cant tell you the exact name as my visit was a while ago. But if you see it, point.
Pastry at Simmas Bakery
________________________________________________________________________
Fritz's Pub
I'd passed Fritz's for years and always wondered whether or not they were still open and then a couple years ago I rolled by and spotted people coming in and and out and it was a Friday so I went in to try their fish fry. This is a classic Wisconsin tavern my friends. You'll feel like you're in a movie.
a peek inside
Opened in 1978 by a newly located immigrant who used his nickname for the place they have a nice menu of home cooked food, both Serbian and American. The hours are odd though as they're only open on Friday's and Saturday's and on Saturday it's only from 12p to 4p. Friday you got from 1p to 9p. But should you make it into here the housemade Ćevapi called 'Chewaps' on the menu are very good and even better paired with their build your own Shish-ka-bob sandwich. It might not be served as a traditional shish kebab sandwich but the extra tender pork and the potent grilled onions on a sesame seeded roll most likely from Peter Sciortino's Bakery makes for great bar food.
Combo Plate: 5 oz. order of Shish-ka-bob & 3 Chewaps
As far as the fish fry goes it too is also worth ordering. I usually stay away from places that don't serve lake fish (lake perch, blue gill, walleye) but this place just reeks of classic Wisconsin so you kind of figure the fish fry has to be good. Of course it is. Something about that batter. It was definitely laced with fresh black pepper and the fish was fried perfectly. The side of potato wedges was a first for a fish fry in my experience but they too tasted great. This place is a treasure.
Friday Fish Fry at Fritz's Pub
________________________________________________________________________
The Historic Grain Exchange Building aka Mackie Building (1879)
The Swingin' Door Exchange is commonly listed when looking up the best fish fry in Milwaukee. I can vouch for these results. Located in downtown Milwaukee in the national historic registered Grain Exchange Building, this space has housed a tavern since prohibition.
The Swingin' Door Exchange
The most recent owners of the Swingin' Door Exchange have kept the charm and the wood-heavy interior remains intact. Plus, the Friday fish fry special remains, even if it has been rejuvenated. Choose from lake perch, bluegill, shrimp, and cod and enjoy the house-made slaw, a well buttered piece of locally baked rye bread, and some kicked up tartar sauce to go with it. The real deal indeed.
Lake Perch Friday Fish Fry Plate
________________________________________________________________________
4th Base
Another reason I love Milwaukee is because of little gems like this. They just keep popping up each trip I take. 4th base is a bar and from the outside it looks like many others in Wisconsin. But step inside and you'll spy a big display case with all sorts of fresh looking steaks and chops and such. While 4th base is indeed a classic tavern it's also a nice little restaurant. Similar to a supper club.
a peek inside
We stopped in one Saturday afternoon and had a nice chat with the locals. The menu features lots of stuff that sounds good but I had never seen a Reuben sandwich served with Lake Perch. So of course we had to try one. The perch was fried fresh and the bread locally sourced so this was a good sandwich. Also excellent were the thin fresh cut fries sprinkled with cheese. I plan on going back.
Reuben Sandwich with Lake Perch at 4th Base
________________________________________________________________________
Polonez Restaurant
Polonez Restaurant is considered Milwaukee's best polish restaurant. It's one of those places where time seems to have passed by. Step inside and you're taken back to another time in Milwaukee. It's just got that old school Eastern European feel to it. The menu is filled with polish classics and none come with more fanfare than the pierogi. Both the potato and cheese were fantastic.
Pierogi at Polonez Restaurant
________________________________________________________________________
The Packing House
Here's a place out by the airport that reeks of Milwaukee. The Packing House was founded in 1974 and is still owned and operated by the same family today. Located out by the airport it's got all the characteristics of a classic Wisconsin Supper Club. Then there's the drive-thru.
Drive-Thru Fish Fry
Huh? A Drive-thru fish fry? Only in Wisconsin. How do I not go thru it at least once? Even if they dont have lake perch or blue gills or walleye on the menu. The fish of choice here is Icelandic Cod. Dinners come served with a cup of clam chowder, cole slaw, marble rye bread, hand-breaded Icelandic cod, and your choice of French fries or potato pancakes. s it the best fish fry in Wisconsin? No it's not but it did hit the spot on the ride back to Chicago while bringing back memories of a drive-thru prime rib place I use to frequent during my college days in Madison. Gotta love Wisco.
Friday Fish Fry at The Packing House
________________________________________________________________________
Leon's Frozen Custard
Last stop up! There's no better place to end in Milwaukee. Leon's is a city icon known for their custard. People line up morning, noon, and night during their open season. Folks from Milwaukee usually pick one when it comes to their custard of choice and Leon's and Kopp's are the choices.
Non-Custard part of the menu
On what was my umpteenth trip to Leon's their 'Spanish Hamburger' finally got my attention. I asked the young lady behind the counter what a Spanish was and she told me it's their version of a Sloppy Joe. Figuring it was going to be something similar to a Mexiburger (sweet hot dog sauce on a bun) my curiosity still got the better of me and I went ahead and ordered one. They should call it an Iowan. This is basically a loose meat sandwich, albeit a tad bit wetter than most, which actually helped. I've become semi obsessed with this sandwich and no trip to Milwaukee is complete without one.
Spanish Hamburger and Custard at Leon's
________________________________________________________________________
The Laughing Taco
1033 S 1st St
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 210-3086
Iron Grate BBQ
4177 S Howell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 455-1776
Bavette Le Boucherie
330 E Menomonee St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-3375
Red Light Ramen
1749 N Farwell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 837-5107
Movida
524 S 2nd St
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 224-5300
Meat on the Street
1125 N 9th St
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 477-6717
BelAir Cantina
1935 N Water St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 226-2245
The Cheel
105 S Main St
Thiensville, WI 53092
(262) 236-9463
La Masa Empanada Bar
1300 E Brady St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 885-1866
The Vanguard
2659 S Kinnickinnic Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 539-3593
The Vagabond
1122 N Edison St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 223-1122
Boone and Crockett (Gypsy Taco)
2151 S Kinnickinnic Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 763-4935
Dock18 Cocktail Lab
2018 S 1st St
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 737-0692
The Phoenix Cocktail Club
785 N Jefferson St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 539-5918
Koz's Mini Bowl
2078 S 7th St
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 383-0560
Foundation Tiki Bar
2718 N Bremen St
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 374-2587
Taqueria El Charrito Taco Truck
*Across street from Koz's Mini Bowl
Crave Cafe
3592 N Oakland Ave
Shorewood, WI 53211
(414) 204-8778
Tacos Los Gemelos
1116 W Historic Mitchell St
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(281) 970-7097
Blue Star Cafe
1619 N Farwell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-9744
Chef Paz
9039 W National Ave,
West Allis, WI 53227
(414) 327-1600
Rochester Deli
143 W Broadway St
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 522-9611
Simmas Bakery
817 N 68th St
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 257-0998
Fritz's Pub
3086 S 20th St
Milwaukee, WI 53215
(414) 643-6995
The Swingin' Door Exchange
219 E Michigan St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 276-8150
4th Base Restaurant
5117 W National Ave
West Milwaukee, WI 53214
(414) 647-8509
Polonez Restaurant
4016 S Packard Ave
St Francis, WI 53235
(414) 482-0080
The Packing House
900 E Layton Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 483-5054
Leon's Frozen Custard
3131 S 27th St
Milwaukee, WI 53215
(414) 383-1784
